Dear Jackie: One of my ancestors in Pembroke, MA in early 1700s
had earmark for his sheep registered with the town clerk,
three holes in the right ear, and a swallow's tail in the left.
All our cattle had a do
uble band of I guess stainless steel folded in half, placed around edge of ear, and end stapled together through the ear.
Die stamped numbers and letters for permanent identification. The kids couldn't take them to fairs without proof that they were disease free, including immunizations. Also indispensible when selling offspring.